The top four finalists in the Transition Trucking “Hiring Our Heroes: Driving for Excellence” recognition program were named as America’s top rookie military drivers at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. All four finalists belong to companies that are MHC customers:
| Mordaunt "Platt" Brabner, | Quinton Ward, | |
| U.S. Marines & U.S. Navy | U.S. Army | |
| TMC Transportation | Werner Enterprises | |
| Summar Hanks, | Christopher Young, | |
| Air Force | U.S. Army | |
| U.S. Xpress | Stevens Transport |
For the past three years, Kenworth has teamed with the FASTPORT Trucking Track Mentoring Program and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program to find America’s top rookie military veteran, who has made the successful transition from active duty to driving for a commercial fleet.
The Transition Trucking Hiring Our Heroes campaign focuses on curbing the emerging truck driver shortage and inspiring more trucking companies to hire veterans, National Guard members and reservists. Trucking companies nominate veteran military drivers with outstanding performance. An independent committee comprised of individuals from the trucking industry selects three award finalists.
Last year, a driver with Stevens Transport, longtime customer of MHC Kenworth – Dallas, was named the winner and additionally received a $2,500 gift certificate to use exclusively at MHC’s Dallas dealership.
Kenworth has again donated a fully-loaded Kenworth T680 Advantage with a 76-inch sleeper and PACCAR MX-13 engine, to serve as the program’s recognition award.
“It is important for the trucking industry to continue its on-going efforts to provide support and career opportunities to our veterans,” said Kurt Swihart, Kenworth marketing director. “Congratulations to finalists Platt Brabner, Summar Hanks, Quinton Ward and Christopher Young, and to the other six successful drivers who made the Top 10.”
Drivers were nominated by trucking companies that made a hiring commitment and pledge to hire veterans on www.truckingtrack.org or, by members of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools, or Commercial Vehicle Training Association-member school.
All the drivers were recognized at the President George W. Bush Library during a tour and reception. The winner will be announced Dec. 14 in Washington, D.C. during a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Washington, D.C.